Based on a true story, the movie, released in April 2009, recalls the widespread corruption among Hong Kong police between 1963 and 1973. Chen (Eason Chan), a kind-hearted police officer and subordinate of Lak (Tony Leung), the chief inspector responsible for an organized system that allows police officers of all ranks to take bribes from just about everyone, from hookers to triad leaders. Lak is ruthless, but at the same time he manages to reduce crime rates with the triads’ cooperation, even if it occasionally means forcing false confessions from the innocent. It’s all meant to be for the greater good. But the money, power and women keep rolling in, and the there’s nothing more enjoyable than watching the cops willingly give way to temptation all in the name of justice.